Building in the Built Environment 2: Working on Existing Buildings

larct2162  2026-2027  Tournai

Building in the Built Environment 2: Working on Existing Buildings
5.00 credits
40.0 h + 15.0 h
Q2
> Schedule
Teacher(s)
Bolle Caroline; Gobbo Emilie;
Language
French
Main themes
The course aims to equip students with the skills required to approach projects within existing structures from a material design perspective. Intervention in existing buildings is addressed in all its complexity, synthesizing cultural, material, and constructive considerations, including the architect’s environmental responsibility. The course explores a range of intervention strategies—such as conservation, renovation, transformation, extension, reallocation, rehabilitation, deconstruction, and reinforcement—while remaining closely tied to the built object. Students will integrate concepts of environmental impact and circularity into their approaches.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Specific Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  • Identify, propose, and justify intervention strategies based on the physical and spatial characteristics of the building, its state of conservation, and the objectives of the project (e.g. issues, constraints, regulatory framework),
  • Compare and evaluate the impact of proposed measures using a multi-criteria approach, including the sustainability of the solutions,
  • Outline and synthesize the correlation between proposed measures, presenting them clearly and intelligibly,
  • Design an architectural detail specific to an existing building,
  • Articulate views effectively, using discipline-specific terminology appropriately.

General Learning Outcomes

In line with the program’s learning outcomes (LOs), this course contributes to the development and acquisition of the following LOs:
  • LO1.1 Prioritize the parameters and issues of a given situation.
  • LO1.2 Justify the intentions and choices of an architectural project at different intervention scales.
  • LO1.4 Compose the material elements of a construction or development with artistry.
  • LO1.6 Integrate Sustainable Development requirements into the design process, at multiple scales.
  • LO3.3 Understand and integrate scientific and technical knowledge to realize an architectural project.
  • LO3.4 Understand and assess the environmental, social, and economic consequences of construction and technical choices.
  • LO4.4 Understand and assess the environmental, social, and economic consequences of architectural choices.
 
Content
This course builds on the knowledge acquired in previous courses on construction, and more specifically on the initial diagnosis (LARCT 1362), to integrate current regulatory, environmental, and comfort issues while developing a design that anticipates future changes. The topics covered in this course include:
  • Introduction to the context and issues, as well as a framework for understanding terms related to the renovation of existing buildings and normative and regulatory developments.
  • Cultural issues (from monumental buildings to ordinary architecture): - review of LARCT 1362.
  • Programmatic issues: use value of the building, diversity, developments.
  • Construction and technical issues: combining the specific features of the existing building, performance targets, pathologies.
  • Energy and comfort issues (operational phase - PEB): thermal and envelope performance, thermal and seasonal zoning.
  • Environmental, social, and economic issues: life cycle(s), demolition, materials and construction techniques (material stocks and flows), maintenance/upkeep, reversibility, circularity, etc.
  • Identification of possible intervention strategies using a multi-criteria approach concerning the issues mentioned above.
Teaching methods
The course combines theoretical lectures, case studies, presentations by professionals, field visits and practical work in sessions (TP): individual and group exercises.
Evaluation methods
Assessment is based on three components:
  • continuous assessment as part of the practical work (30% of the final mark);
  • a group assignment submitted at the end of the four-month term, analysing intervention strategies for an existing building and evaluating them according to several criteria (50%);
  • an oral defence of the assignment during the examination session (20%).
The project includes an individually identified contribution from each student. In the event of a clear imbalance in contributions, individual adjustments to the mark may be applied. Participation in practical sessions and adherence to interim deadlines form an integral part of the assessment. 
In the second session, only the section relating to the project and its oral defence is reassessed.
Other information
Note: Any significant use of a generative artificial intelligence tool must be disclosed. Students remain responsible for the content submitted and must be able to account for their approach and choices. Any breach of the principles of academic integrity may be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of UCLouvain’s RGEE.
Online resources
All information is shared on MOODLE:
  • Course plan and structure
  • Course materials posted online after each class
  • Useful resources
Bibliography
Brand, S. (1994). How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built. New York: Viking.
Bruxelles Environnement. Guide Bâtiment Durable. https://guidebatimentdurable.brussels/
Buildwise (Centre d'innovation du secteur belge de la construction). Notes d'information technique (NIT). Consultable sur https://www.buildwise.be
Et dossier rénovation :
https://www.buildwise.be/fr/concret/renovation/
Charlot-Valdieu, C., & Outrequin, P. (2024). Rénovation énergétique durable des maisons individuelles : Qualité architecturale, confort d'été et performances. Paris : Le Moniteur.
Druot, F., Lacaton, A., & Vassal, J.-P. (2007). Plus. Les grands ensembles de logements. Territoire d'exception. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili.
European Commission. (2020). A Renovation Wave for Europe: Greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives. Brussels: European Commission
Giebeler, G., Musso, F., Fisch, R., Petzinka, K.-H., Krause, H., & Rudolphi, A. (2012). Rénover le bâti: Maintenance, reconversion, extension (Atlas de la construction). Basel: Birkhäuser.
Plan national énergie-climat 2021-2030. Mise à jour finale (PNEC 2025). Bruxelles : Commission nationale Climat. Belgique. (2025).
Faculty or entity
> LOCI


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Architecture (Tournai)
ARCT2M
5